Rivendell ReCreation Center, Ltd, founded in 1984, is a private,
all-volunteer, not-for-profit corporation that is dedicated to
horseback riding programs for mentally, emotionally, and physically
challenged children and adults, and their direct-related family
members.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Rivendell ReCreation Center, Ltd. is to provide
year-round hippotherapy, developmental riding and/or vaulting, and
sports/recreational riding for all handicapped children and adults
with medical permission, giving the participants continuing
opportunities to improve physical fitness, demonstrate courage,
experience joy, and participate in ongoing socio-leisure activities
within the community.

WHO WE SERVE, AND HOW...

Programs and classes are individually designed for: children and
adults with Cerebral Palsy; Multiple Sclerosis; Stroke; Spina Bifada;
Hearing and/or Sight Impaired; Head Trauma; Paraplegics or
Quadriplegics; Emotionally Disturbed; Mentally Impaired; etc.
Rivendell will only serve 50 riders per program week in order to
personalize each riding program. Depending upon the riders physical
and mental capability, classes can range from 20 minutes to 1 hour
in length. (Mounting time for our multiply-handicapped riders is
included in lesson time.) Class size ranges from 1 to 4 riders.
Recreational riding classes are designed with age and ability as
primary considerations.

Donations from private individuals, organizations and
business/industry as well as grants from local agencies provide the
necessary funding. Won't you join that special group?

WHY HORSEBACK RIDING IS IMPORTANT

Horseback riding has become widely recognized as beneficial therapy,
especially for handicapped children and adults. Riding offers
pleasure as well as achievement of a skill that many nonhandicapped
persons do not possess. Mastering riding skills offers mental
stimulation which creates new incentives for learning. Riding
encourages the development of: self-confidence; concentration; and
self-discipline. In addition to building self-esteem, the warm,
friendly quality of our horses provides a source of love and
reassurance. One of the primary purposes of Rivendell is to provide
opportunities for its riders to develop skills and attitudes
beneficial to their sociorecreational needs.

PHILOSOPHY

Rivendell ReCreation Center, Ltd. seeks to uphold the spirit and
traditions of classic horseback riding for its own sake,
incorporating pageantry and ritual in its activities. The practice
of mainstreaming riders based on their abilities is a primary
principle of Rivendell. In Rivendell, the rider (and his/her family)
is all-important. Developing the spiritual, physical, social,
psychological, and intellectual qualities of the participants
underlies everything that is done at Rivendell. It is not enough to
merely introduce riding to our participants. It is critical that all
management, staff, and certified volunteers make every effort to
encourage, and make possible, riders to reach their highest level of
achievement. Rivendell riding progress will always be high quality,
and personalized for each individual. Since the creation of
Rivendell in 1984 in South Wales, N.Y., riding and farm-related
activities and recreation have been based on the above, important
philosophical considerations.

GOALS

To provide riding progress for 100 handicapped persons per week. To
provide a local showcase venue to horse and other animal-related
organizations. To become a national training center under the
guidelines of the Happy Horsemanship Foundation. To improve and
expand present physical plant via a larger indoor riding arena, club
house, and office space. To hire handicapped personnel to manage the
physical plant.

Rivendell is a not-for-profit all volunteer organization
501(c)3 #:22-2656843
NY State Charity: #537237